Dana Gas, an Emirati gas company, is using Shariah non-compliance as an argument in its sukuk restructuring talks. That remarkable move, if successful, could undermine the whole system of trust built around Islamic finance in the Middle East.
The decision to isolate Doha for its links to Islamist terrorism has plunged the region into turmoil and sent its creditworthiness into a spin.
Euromoney's latest coverage of emerging markets, including FX, fixed income and equity market trends.
Several banks write off Syrian operations; they continue to be big shareholders.
After another tumultuous year for banking in Lebanon, the central bank governor discusses the political pushback against his actions, the potential impact of a new US law targeting Hezbollah and the prospects for his reappointment.
After months of uncertainty, the Lebanese government has finally approved Riad Salamé’s renewal at the head of the country’s central bank. It was right to reappoint him; now he should be left to work unfettered by political interests.
Commercial International Bank wins region’s best bank award; winners reflect year of reform and easing bank liquidity; record year for Gulf debt capital markets sees HSBC retaining investment-banking title, while local and international banks do battle for regional and domestic awards.
Telecoms tycoon backs new SME online lender; chairman Péretié sees sector-beating ROE.
Market moves to T+2 settlement; boosts eligibility for MSCI inclusion.
As international banks continue to pull out of Africa, Afreximbank president, Benedict Oramah explains why African institutions need to be the main source of support for the continent in times of crisis.
The country’s new minister of finance has ambitions to build factories, cut taxes and combat corruption. His background as an entrepreneur and banker may mean his plans can get off the ground.
The country’s last administration borrowed heavily from banks to sustain inefficient state-owned energy companies at the expense of the private sector – can the newly elected government repay the debt and get banks lending again?
Beehive and Eureeca are using online crowdfunding to raise debt and equity for small businesses in the Middle East. Becoming regulated will allow them to grow rapidly. In time, they could eat the banks’ lunch, or the banks just might swallow them.
The liquidity issues that have plagued the Kingdom’s banks for months appear to have abated. But a persistently low oil price and the impending generational reform programme mean that Saudi Arabia’s financial sector still faces some big challenges.
Euromoney's latest coverage of the bond markets in Africa.
Euromoney investigates how the relaxation of western sanctions on Iran – dubbed the world’s most lucrative closed economy – will jump-start trade and capital flows from Europe to the Gulf, and plots a vision for the country's banking system and economic transformation, more generally.
The emir of Kuwait has revealed a grand plan to transform the country into a regional financial centre by 2035. The country’s bankers and businessmen say they’ve heard it all before. Can Kuwait finally deliver on its promises?
The country needs constructive criticism to pull it out of its stasis. But who will speak up?
Emirate last in GCC to issue bond debut; Kuwaiti issuers to follow the sovereign.
Fintechs in Africa are developing along different lines to their counterparts in Europe and the US, sourcing funding and support away from the banks.
